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J. N. REYNOLDS AND 1'. F. HEARN'. AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLlCATION mm JAN. 8, 1918.

1,309,304. Patented July 8, 1919.

\ /nvenfars: John New berry Reyna/d5 John 15 Heal M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN NEWBERRY REYNOLDS, OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, AND JOHN F. ILEARN, OF

7 PASSAIG, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPO- RATED, 013 N YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed January 8, 1918. Serial No. 210,861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN NEWBERRY REYNOLDS and JOHN F. HEARN, citizens of the United States, residing at Greenwich and Passa-ic, in the county of Fairfield and county of Passaic, State of Connecticut and State of New Jersey, respectively, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of WlllClltllG following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to automatic switches and more particularly to automatic switches used in automatic telephone systems. These switches are particularly designed for use as line switches, although they may be used for other purposes.

The object of this invention is the provision of an improved and more compact structure of the type of switch disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 188,7 60, filed August 29, 1917.

A feature of this invention is the provision of movable bars which have a plurality of sets of rigid contacts mounted thereon, and which are arranged to be moved into a position whereby the contacts thereon may be engaged by movable brushes to stop the movement of the brushes, and whereby such engagement functions to return the bar back to its normal position.

Other features will appear from the following description and the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch embodying thefeatures of this invention and the necessary circuits for understanding the operation thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a brush carrier and a portion of a bar.

In the, drawings 1 represents vertical bars arranged in an arc and pivotally mounted by pins 2 in a frame (not shown). Each bar 1 carries three conducting strips 3, 4 and 5 which are insulated therefrom and from-each other. Strips 3, 4 and 5 have a plurality of rigid contacts 6, 7 and 8 respectively, which are arranged in sets. The sets of contacts on each bar are arranged in a vertical alinement and corresponding sets on each bar are arranged in horizontal alinement. Strips 3, 4 and 5 are also provided The released bar 1 is then rotated clock-- wise by spring 14 so as to place the contacts on the bar in a selectable position. A pin 45 is fastened to each bar and is arranged to hold the springs 16 and 17 closed and the springs 18 and 19 opened While the bar is in it's normal position, and to reverse the condition. of these springs when the bar is in a set position.

A stationary vertical rod 20 is mounted at the center of the are formed by the bars. Upon this rod are mounted a plurality of rotatable brush carriers 22, one above the other, there being asmany of these carriers as there are sets of contacts on each bar. The brush carriers are mounted upon collars 21 which are loosely mounted on the rod 20. Each carrier is normally held against a vertical stop 46 by means of a spring 47, one end of which is fastened to the rod 20 and the other end of which is fastened to the carrier 22. At the outer end of each carrier, three brushes 23, 24 and 25 are pivotally mounted, and are insulated from each other and also from the carrier. The brushes 23, 24 and 25 are held in their normal position by the springs 48, 49 and 50. With the brushes in this position the brush carrier is capable of being moved about the rod 20 without the brushes thereon engaging the contacts on a bar which is in its normal position. As soon as the carrier however reaches a bar which is out of its normal position, a set of contacts will be in the path of the brushes 23, 24 and The engagement of the brushes with the set of contacts causes the bar to be rotated back to its normal position where it is held by the lever 12. In order to have the brushes remain in engagement with the engaged-set of contacts, the brushes are also rotated against the tension of springs 48, 49 and 50 by the engagement with the contacts until a projection 52 of insulating material which is attached to the brush 23, engages the side of the carrier 22. It will be thus seen that the normal distance from the rod 20 to the tip of the brushes will be increased by this rotation of the brushes so that the brushes will not go by the engaged contacts when the bar 1 reaches its normal position but will remain in engagement therewith.

Each brush carrier 22 has a magnet 35 individual thereto, the armature 54 of which engages a roller 53 and is so arranged that when it is attracted by the energization of magnet 35 it causes the brush carrier to rotate about the rod 20.

The allotter circuit shown in the Fig. 1 is substantially the same as that described in the above mentioned copending application and therefore a complete description of its operation is deemed unnecessary at this time.

It is believed that the operation of the switch will be best understood by describing how a connection is established between a calling substation A and an idle trunk leading to a first selector switch by means of a switch of this character. Each subscribers line terminates in a set of movable brushes, and each trunk circuit terminates in the strips of a bar.

It will be assumed that the sixth bar 1 is in a set position and that the last bar 1 is the one preselected. Wipers and 56 will therefore be in engagement with contacts 57 and 58 respectively of the last bar 1 as will hereinafter appear.

When the subscriber at substation A removes his receiver from the switchhook a circuit is completed from grounded battery, springs 31 left-hand winding of relay 30, loop at substation A, right-hand winding of relay 30, springs 32 to ground. Relay 3O energizes andcloses a circuit from grounded battery, armature and back contact of relay 33, left-hand high resistance winding of relay 34c, conductor 59, left-hand armature and front contact of relay 30, high resistance winding of magnet 35 to ground. Relay 34 becomes energized and closes a holding circuit for itself through its right-hand low resistance winding to ground. This holding circuit of relay 34 reduces the flow of current through the lefthaud winding of relay 34 so that in case another line relay 30 should be energized, while relay 34: is locked up, enough current will not flow through the high resistance winding of magnet 35 associated therewith to attract its armature 54. Magnet 35 associated with the calling substation A will however have received enough current to attract its armatures 5% and 60. The attraction of armature opens the circuit of relay 30,

but since the relay is made slow to release its armature the circuit through the high resistance Winding of magnet 35 is maintained for a suiiicient length of time to allow the brush carrier. 22 to be rotated and the brushes 23, 2a and 25 thereon moved into engagement with a set of contacts 6, 7 and 8 respectively on the set trunk bar 1. The pressure exerted by the magnet 35 upon the armature 5t and the inertia of the moving brush carrier 22 are sufficient to rock the set trunk bar back to its normal position. At the same time the brushes 23, 2+1 and 25 are rotated so as to remain in engagement with the engaged set of contacts on the set bar. The rotated bar is held in its normal position by the lever 12.

As soon as the brushes 23 and 21 engage contacts 6 and 7 respectively, a circuit is completed from grounded battery, lower left-hand winding of repeating coil 36, winding of supervisory relay 37, conductor 12, conducting strip 4, contact 7, brush 24:, spring 19, conductor 38, loop at substation A, conductor 39, spring 18, brush 23, contact 6, conducting strip 3, conductor 43, upper left-hand winding of repeating coil 36 to ground. Supervisory relay 37 becomes energized and completes a holding circuit for magnet 35 from grounded battery, left-hand low resistance winding of magnet 35, conductor 40, spring 50, brush 25, contact 8, conducting strip 5, conductor 41, armature and front contact of relay 37 to ground. As mentioned above, this holding circuit is completed before the relay 30 denergizes and opens the circuit through the high resistance winding of magnet 35.

\Vhen the set trunk bar reaches its normal position, a circuit is completed from grounded battery, winding of relay 33, contacts 16 and 17 of all the trunk bars in series (since all the bars will be in their normal position at this instant) to ground. Relay 33 therefore energizes and by attracting its armature prevents any magnet 35 from attracting its armature 54: as long as all the trunk bars are in their normal positions. A circuit is also completed in parallel with the relay 33 from grounded battery, winding of setting magnet 15 of the preselected trunk bar, conductor 61, contact 58 of the preselected trunk, wiper 56, conductor 62, right-hand armature and back contact of relay 63 to ground through the contacts 16 and 17 of all the trunk bars in series. Magnet 15 energizes and, by rocking lever 12, releases the preselected trunk bar which is rotated into its set position by a spring 14. As soon as this preselected bar is set relay 33 and magnet 15 deenergize. The definergization of relay 33 now allows any line magnet 35 to become energized upon a subsequent call.

\Vhen the preselected trunk bar is set, the contacts 18 and 19 individual thereto are closed, and a circuit is then closed from grounded battery. winding of relay 63, wiper 55, contact 57 of the preselected bar,

conductor 64, associated therewith, contacts 18 and 19 of thepreselected bar to ground. Relay 63 becomes energized and closes a steppingcircuit for allotter magnet 65 from grounded battery, left-hand armature and back contact of relay 63, winding of magnet 65, armature and back contact of magnet 65 to ground. Magnet 65 interrupts its own circuit at its armature and back contact and steps wi ers 55 and 56 one step upon its denerglzation. If the bar associated with this next set of contacts is in use, ground will be found on the conductor 64 at the armature and front contact of relay 37. Relay 63 will therefore remain energized and the magnet will again operate and cause the wipers to take another step. This operation continues untilan idle bar is found, which is designated by the absence of ground on the conductor 64 individual thereto. energizes and opens the circuit of magnet 65. Relay 63 by maintaining its right-hand armature attracted prevents the setting of any bar during the operation of the allotter.

When the allotter stops, with the wipers 55 and 56 in engagement with contacts 57 and 58 respectively of an idlebar it will be seen that the bar which was preselected is now set and that a new bar has been preselected for use. The cycle of operations,- just described is repeated in response to each initiation of a call by a subscriber removing his receiver from the switchhook.

At the completion of his conversation, the subscriber at substation A replaces his receiver on its switchhook. circuit traced for supervisory relay 37 .which deenergizes and opens the holding circuit of magnet 35. Magnet 35 retracts it's armatures and the brush carrier 22 is returned to its normal position by the spring 47. As soon as the brushes 23, 24 and 25 leave contacts 6, and 8, they are returned to their normal position by springs 48, 49 and 50 respectively. If the carrier passes a set bar while restoring, the brushes thereon engage the contacts on the set bar and rotate the brushes'in a clockwise direction against the tension of springs 48, 49 and 50, so as to allow the brush carrier to continue its r0- tation. The back of the brushes are insulated so that no circuits are closed by this engagement. As soon as the brushes have passed by the set bar, the brushes-are r0-- tated back into their normal positions by the springs 48, 49 and 50.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic switch, rotatable trunk bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, rotatable line bars, a set'of contacts on each line bar, means for rotating one of said trunk bars into a position to allow the contacts of any of said line bars to engage contacts on said rotated trunk bar, and means Relay 63 then de- This breaks the for rotating a line bar into engagement with a rotated trunk bar, said engagement functioning to move the rotated trunk bar into its normal position.

2. In an automatic switch, rotatabletrunk bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, rotatable linebars having sets of brushes rotatably mounted thereon, means for rotating one of said trunk bars into a position to allow any one of said sets of brushes to engage contacts on said rotated bar, and means for rotating a line bar to move a set of brushes into engagement with a set of contacts on a rotated trunk bar, said engagement functioning to move the rotated trunk bar into its normal position, and to rotate said set of brushes to maintain engagement with the contacts on said trunk bar.

3. In an automatic switch, rotatable trunk bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, ro-

tatable line bars having sets of brushes thereon, a magnet individual to a trunk bar for rotating said bar from its normal pobar, and means for rotating a line bar to move a set of brushes into engagement with a set of contacts on said rotated trunk bar, said engagement functioning to move the rotated trunk bar back to its normal position; v

4. In an automatic switch, rotatable trunk bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, sets of movable brushes, meansfor rotating an idle one of said trunk bars from its normal position to allow any one of said sets of brushes to engage contacts on said rotated bar, a magnet individual to each set of brushes for moving its associated set of brushes into engagement with a set of contacts on said rotated bar, said engagement functioning to stop the movement of said set of brushes and to move'the rotated bar back 'to its normal position.

5. In an automatic switch, rotatable bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, a plurality of rotatable brush carriers, a set of rotatable brushes on each carrier, means for ro tat-ing a bar from its normal position to allow any set of brushes to engage contacts on said bar, means for rotating a brush carrier to bring the set of brushes thereon into engagement'with contacts on the rotated bar, said engagement functioning to rotate said bar back to its normal position to move the contactsthereon out of the path of subsequently operated brushes and also to rotate said set of brushes of the operated brush of said bars for holding said bars in their normal position, means for releasing the holding means of a bar to allow said bar to be moved into a position in which any set of brushes may engage contacts on said bar, means for holding said bar in the last mentioned position, and means for moving a set of brushes into engagement with a set of contacts on said bar, said engagement functioning to move said bar back to its normal position against the action of said last mentioned holding means.

7. In an automatic switch, rotatable bars sets of rigid contacts on said bars, sets 0% movable brushes, means for holding said bars in their normal position, electromagnetic means for releasing the holding means of an idle bar, means for moving said released bar into a position in which any set of brushes may engage contacts on said bar, and means for moving a set of brushes into engagement with a set of contacts on said bar, said engagement functioning to move said bar back to its normal position 8. In an automatic switch, rotatable bars sets of rigid cont-acts on said bars, movable brush carriers, a set of movable brushes on each carrier, means for holding said bars in their normal position, an electromagnet individual to each bar for releasing the holding means for rotating said released bar into a position in which any set of brushes may engage contacts on said bar, and means for moving a brush carrier to bring the set of brushes thereon into engagement with contacts on the rotated bar, said engagement functioning to return said rotated bar back to its normal position and also to move said set of brushes relative to its brush carrier so as to remain in engagement with the engaged set of contacts on the rotated bar.

9. In an automatic switch, rotatable bars, sets of rigid contacts on said bars, rotatable brush carriers, a set of movable brushes on each carrier, means for selectively rotating an idle one of said bars from its normal position to allow contacts thereon to be engaged by any of said sets of brushes, and means for rotating a brush carrier to bring a set of brushes into engagement with contacts on said rotated bar, said engagement functioning to rotate said bar back to its normal position and also to rotate the set of brushes on the rotated brush carrier so as to remain in engagement with the engaged set of contacts on the rotated bar.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 31st day of December A. D., 1917.

JOHN NEWBERRY REYNOLDS. JOHN F. HEARN. 

